Heavenly Creatures Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two teen girls get *really* into role-playing and decide the ultimate plot twist is real life.

🍿 Heavenly Creatures: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Beginning of an Intense Friendship

In 1950s New Zealand, Pauline Parker, a quiet and introverted teenager, meets Juliet Hulme, a charismatic and imaginative new student from England. The two girls quickly form a close bond, bonding over their shared love of art, literature, and fantasy. They create an elaborate fantasy world called Borovnia, filled with their own characters and adventures.

Growing Obsession and Parental Concerns

As their friendship deepens, Pauline and Juliet become increasingly obsessed with each other and their fantasy world. Their parents grow concerned about the intensity of their relationship and the girls’ increasing detachment from reality. They worry about the potential for a homosexual relationship, which was heavily stigmatized at the time. The girls continue to push against any boundaries set by their parents, retreating further into their shared fantasy world.

Separation and a Desperate Plan

The parents decide to separate the girls, with Juliet being sent to live with relatives in South Africa due to her health and the growing concerns about her relationship with Pauline. Desperate to avoid separation, Pauline and Juliet hatch a plan to eliminate what they see as the biggest obstacle to their happiness: Pauline’s mother, Honora. The girls view Honora as controlling and the primary force keeping them apart.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pauline (Melanie Lynskey): An introverted and imaginative teenager who forms an intense bond with Juliet, leading to a shared fantasy world and ultimately, violence.
• Juliet (Kate Winslet): A charismatic and wealthy newcomer who captivates Pauline with her bold personality and shared passion for fantasy, spiraling into a destructive obsession.
• Honora (Sarah Peirse): Pauline’s over-controlling mother becomes the primary obstacle to the girls’ relationship, resulting in a tragic and violent end.
• Henry (Clive Merrison): Juliet’s father, a Rector concerned about the intensity of his daughter’s friendship with Pauline, attempts to intervene.
• Hilda (Diana Kent): Juliet’s mother, is distracted by her disintegrating marriage and futile affairs, which adds to the neglect of Juliet.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Juliet Hulme: “All the best people have bad chests and bone diseases. It’s all frightfully romantic.” – Juliet attempts to console Pauline about her health issues, highlighting their shared vulnerabilities and romanticizing their illnesses.
• Pauline: “The next time I write in this diary, Mother will be dead.” – A chilling diary entry revealing Pauline’s premeditated plan to murder her mother.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,049,135
• Worldwide Gross: $3,049,950

💥 Heavenly Creatures Reviews

Personal Review

Heavenly Creatures really stuck with me. The way Peter Jackson blended fantasy with the mundane realities of the 1950s was genius. The whole thing felt so real, it was like I was right there with Pauline and Juliet, lost in their world. It’s disturbing, but also kind of beautiful in a tragic way. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the adults just didn’t get it. I will always remember the claymation scenes, they were both captivating and unsettling.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Peter Jackson’s early work”
  • “Viewers interested in true crime stories”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “People who enjoy films with a dark and unsettling atmosphere”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Disturbing content”
  • “Brief sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A mesmerizing and disturbing film that explores the dark side of adolescent obsession with startling originality. Jackson’s direction is fearless, and the performances are unforgettable, drawing you into a world both beautiful and terrifying.
• Janet Maslin: “Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey deliver striking performances as two teenage girls whose intense friendship leads to tragedy. Peter Jackson’s direction is inventive and unsettling, creating a memorable and thought-provoking film experience.
• Empire Magazine: “Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures is a mesmerizing masterpiece that delves into the dark depths of adolescent obsession with breathtaking originality. Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey deliver tour-de-force performances, immersing viewers in a world of fantasy and madness.

Audience Reactions

The intense performances of the lead actresses were captivating and drew viewers into the girls’ unique world.: Many viewers praised the film’s ability to explore complex themes of friendship, obsession, and mental health with nuance and sensitivity.

The film’s blend of fantasy and reality was seen as visually stunning and emotionally resonant.: Viewers appreciated Peter Jackson’s unique directorial style and the film’s overall artistry.

Overall Consensus: A critically acclaimed and visually stunning film that explores the dark side of adolescent friendship with unforgettable performances and inventive direction.

Awards

1. Venice Film Festival (Silver Lion)- 1994

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet stayed in character even off-screen to better understand their roles and develop a stronger connection.”
• “The film is based on the true story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, whose crime shocked New Zealand in the 1950s.”
• “Peter Jackson cut 9 minutes from the original New Zealand version for the international release, preferring the shorter cut.”

🖥️ How to Watch Heavenly Creatures?

Heavenly Creatures is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for specific availability and pricing. The film is also sometimes available on streaming services that offer a rotating selection of movies, so it’s worth checking those as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Heavenly Creatures, you might like these similar films:

• The Virgin Suicides (1999): Explores the intense and insular world of teenage girls and their impact on a community, with a focus on fantasy and tragedy.
• Thoroughbreds (2017): A modern equivalent exploring the dark, obsessive friendship between two teenage girls and their descent into violence.
• Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975): Focuses on repressed emotions in an all-girls school setting, creating mystery and unease.

🛒 Heavenly Creatures Related Products

• Heavenly Creatures (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A beautifully restored edition of Peter Jackson’s early masterpiece, featuring exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
• Heavenly Creatures Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic movie poster, perfect for decorating your home or office.
• The Anne Perry / Juliet Hulme Collection: Murder Mysteries: Explore the world of mystery and suspense with the novels by Anne Perry, the pen name of Juliet Hulme, one of the real-life figures portrayed in the movie.
• Peter Jackson: A Filmmaker’s Journey: Explore the early work of Peter Jackson and see how his vision as a filmmaker was in development.

🎧 Soundtrack

Heavenly Creatures features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” – performed by Choirs of Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Hagley Community College, Villa Maria College
• “Italian Song” – performed by Mario Lanza
• “E Lucevan le Stelle” – performed by Giacomo Puccini

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Does Kate Winslet Know Lines From Her Most Famous Films & TV Shows?

Ever wonder if Kate Winslet remembers her iconic lines? Watch her try to guess quotes from her movies, including a nod to her early role in ‘Heavenly Creatures’. It’s hilarious to see how well she remembers them, or doesn’t!

ET_KATE WINSLET_BACKSTORY

Want to see a young Kate Winslet right after ‘Heavenly Creatures’ launched her career? This vintage ET segment shows how the movie shaped her path to stardom, plus a word from Melanie Lynskey! It’s amazing to see how far she’s come.

Peter Jackson Interview about Heavenly Creatures 1994

What was Peter Jackson thinking when he made ‘Heavenly Creatures’? Check out this rare 1994 interview where he discusses the movie’s themes and his unique vision. It’s fascinating to hear the director’s thoughts so soon after the film’s release!

Heavenly Creatures: Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey’s RARE Interview in NYC (Flashback)

Can you imagine seeing Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey together right after filming ‘Heavenly Creatures’? This rare interview captures their early impressions of the movie and their friendship. It’s a real time capsule!

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